The Chris Hedges Report

Former British diplomat Alastair Crooke, a specialist in Middle Eastern affairs, joins Chris Hedges to dissect the recent conflict between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. They explore Israel's advanced military strategies, including cyberattacks and drone usage, and the delicate geopolitical dynamics with neighboring countries. Crooke analyzes the implications of American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and discusses the precarious balance of power in the Middle East, warning that the situation remains volatile and could affect global stability.

Kshama Sawant, a prominent former Seattle City Councilmember and advocate for workers' rights, discusses Zohran Mamdani's bold rise in NYC's Democratic primaries as a democratic socialist. She celebrates Mamdani's challenge to the billionaire class and discusses the backlash from powerful interests, emphasizing that his victory signals a shift in American politics. Sawant warns about the perils of careerism in politics and calls for unwavering commitment to worker empowerment, highlighting the crucial need for concrete actions to uphold promises and defend against elite agendas.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, offers chilling insights into the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She discusses the grave implications of starvation and the systemic suffering endured by civilians, while critiquing international leaders' inaction. Albanese sheds light on the historical injustices intertwined with current events and emphasizes the urgent need for accountability from global organizations. Her advocacy underscores the resilience against erasure and misinformation in the struggle for Palestinian rights.

Rob Larson, a professor of economics and author of Mastering the Universe, joins Chris Hedges to dissect the staggering wealth inequality in the U.S. He highlights that the top 1% owns 35% of the nation's wealth, while the bottom half holds a mere 1.5%. Larson also explores how the ultra-wealthy are emotionally and politically alienated from the rest of society, wielding disproportionate influence over policies. Their isolation and lifestyle privileges lead to a lack of empathy, exacerbating social divides and fueling resentment against the elite.

Patrick Lawrence, a seasoned journalist and writer, joins Chris Hedges to discuss the troubling state of contemporary journalism. He critiques the corporate takeover of the press, leading to a decline in integrity and a lack of context in reporting. Lawrence highlights how the media has shifted from independent observer to a mouthpiece for power, particularly since pivotal events like 9/11. He emphasizes the psychological toll on journalists and advocates for the importance of independent media in fostering deeper public understanding of complex issues.

Orlando Reade, a Professor of English at Northeastern University London and author of What in Me Is Dark, discusses John Milton's enduring influence in his exploration of 'Paradise Lost.' He shares how the poem's revolutionary themes resonated with historical figures like Malcolm X and Thomas Jefferson. Reade also examines Milton's complex portrayal of Satan as a reflection of his own struggles against tyranny, revealing how literature can enlighten our understanding of freedom, power, and rebellion throughout history.

Joan Scott, Professor Emerita at Princeton and an expert on historical narratives, joins Chris Hedges to explore the complex relationship between Israel and the U.S. They delve into how the Holocaust shapes Jewish identity and influences perceptions of Palestinians. Scott discusses the narratives developed around Israel, including comparisons to Native American dispossession. They also critique portrayals of Zionism in popular culture and the political ramifications of Christian Zionism, especially in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Eiren Caffall, an author known for her poignant works on loss and nature, joins Chris Hedges to tackle the harsh realities of the climate crisis. She discusses the emotional toll of ecological collapse and how it parallels her own struggles with polycystic kidney disease. They dive into societal denial about climate change and the importance of preserving personal and cultural narratives in the face of grief. Caffall emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal mortality and the planet’s fragility, underscoring the need for collective empathy and action.

Filmmaker Alex Gibney, known for his investigations into corruption, dives deep into the sinister world of dark money in politics. He discusses the aftermath of the Citizens United ruling, which has allowed anonymous donations to run rampant, diluting democratic integrity. Gibney reveals shocking case studies like the FirstEnergy scandal in Ohio, illustrating how corporations manipulate laws for personal gain. The conversation also examines the tangled relationship between wealth, political influence, and morality, showcasing the profound implications for democracy.

Richard Barnard, Sarah Wilkinson, Asa Winstanley and Richard Medhurst. These are some of the canaries in the coal mine for what is to come in the West as the region’s elite quickly becomes Israel’s international police. Medhurst joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to talk about his own experiences in the United Kingdom and Austria, where federal agents and police arrested him and searched his home under draconian counterterrorism laws. “I was just trying to tell the truth as best as I could with the facts that we had at that time and that's it. And I think they're trying to make an example out of me, definitely,” Medhurst tells Hedges. Medhurst points to Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in the UK as one of the broad laws being used to silence people like him. “If they really want to, they can charge you for just saying a simple fact just because the fact is uncomfortable to the government or perhaps they can twist it into saying you're glorifying a group but it's not true,” he explains. For Medhurst, the UK pinned Schedule 12(1A) on him, which he explains “has never been used before, and escalated it straight to an arrest.” They then took his “fingerprints, [his] DNA, [and] they put [him] in jail for 24 hours.” Despite his accurate reporting, Medhurst says that the validity of what one says does not matter when it conflicts with the establishment line. “You're not glorifying anyone. You're just stating a fact, but they can still charge you. That's what's so dangerous about this law,” he said. Austrian security service agents still possess most of Medhurst’s journalistic tools. There is still no clear time table as to when he will get his tools back. As Medhurst explained: “It wasn't just my phone and my laptop, which I also use for work, which are my work tools, but …you know, hard drive adapters, things that don't even have data on them, analog microphones. Why would you do that to someone unless you're trying to make a point that you don't want them to continue their work?”